About me
I have over 17 years experience of helping clients who are feeling sadness, anger, anxiety, fear and confusion express the un-sayable, unconscious aspects of their lives; to tap into their own subconscious processes to discover deeper insight into difficulties by using a mixture of creative tools. You don't need to feel you are creative to make use of this way of working, sometimes our creativity gets blocked when our experiences are intense or difficult. Working with a Creative Arts Psychotherapist can help you release your own innate creativity which we all possess and enable you to tap into the wisdom of your own subconscious and the wisdom held within your own body. When you work with me you will be in complete control of your own process, only doing what feels right for you.
In the first instance we would have a ten minute phone conversation and then because my approach is a little different, I offer a free initial half hour meeting online so that you can decide if my approach is right for you. I have a therapy space in Wigton and occasionally offer sessions outside.
Training, qualifications & experience
I qualified with a Masters in Dramatherapy (distinction) in 2011 and I am registered with the Health Care Professions Council which means that I adhere to a strict code of professional conduct and am committed to continuous professional development and working within good practice guidelines. Dramatherapists are trained to a very high standard, it takes 6 years in total to train (3 years degree, one years work experience with a client group and two years to complete Masters). Dramatherapy is one of the four Arts Therapies that exist in the UK, all of which make use of the arts within a psychotherapy framework. Coming to see a Dramatherapist definitely does not mean that you will have to do drama or roleplay (unless you want to!). My approach is varied and I adapt to the individual.
With over seventeen years of experience working with adults and children, I have trained extensively in the areas of trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Additional information
I offer one hour sessions both face to face and online, which would usually be weekly for the first 6 weeks or so and then could be less regular, depending on what you would like to do.
I can also offer intensive creative sessions face to face that could be for 2-3 hours (which would still be charged at £60 per hour) but which could be every 2-4 weeks. These sessions offer the possibility of more in depth work and could suit someone who is going to struggle with the commitment of weekly sessions but who feels they will be OK with longer gaps between sessions.
When I work
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During the day I can offer face to face or online sessions but in the evening I can only offer online.
Further information
When feeling stuck or distressed it can be hard to put things into words. My approach takes into consideration your whole brain and body, our negative thoughts and emotions are not just 'in our mind' but are a whole brain/body event and therefore we often need a whole brain/body approach to experience a shift. My aim is to help you to recognise your own strengths and resources, be comfortable in your own skin, more confident in your relationships and your place in the world.
In my sessions you will never be told what to do or what is good for you. I work on the basis that you are the expert and that together we can find what will work well for you to help you feel better. The most important aspect of the process is that you feel safe. I offer sessions both face to face in North Cumbria and online.
My approach could be useful for those who feel they would benefit from:
- Reconnecting with lost parts of themselves
- Reconnecting with inner child
- Releasing anxiety
- Reconnecting with body
- Deepening understanding of different parts of self
